After his 2016 NFR run, tie-down roper Hunter Herrin had to take a three-year hiatus due to major injuries, needing multiple surgeries on his hip. During his time off, Herrin ended up selling his horse Rambo, the 2014 PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year.
Fully recovered and ready to get back at it this year, Herrin got Rambo back in March, but then the pandemic hit, shutting rodeos down across the country.
Finally, the dynamic duo is on the rodeo circuit together again, and they’re looking stronger than ever. Coming off a win in Prescott, Herrin tied one in 7.7 seconds for win in Weatherford, Texas, this past week, and he’s climbing the standings fast, now sitting at No. 20.
Justin McKee went to Apache, Oklahoma, to visit with Hunter and Rambo — our Timed Event Horse of the Week Presented by Smarty. Herrin opens up about his injuries and the horse that’s helping him get back in the game.
“I’d have to say his greatest asset is he scores so well,” says Herrin of Rambo. “… He never was the fastest horse, but he always scored so good. He didn’t care if he was sore or whatever; he was gonna works. He’s just tough.”
When his wife got kicked taking off Rambo’s skid boots, Herrin told her, “Hey, you’re gonna have to get over that, because this is going to be probably the best horse we’ve ever owned.”
